Survival of the Adaptable

Whether its is a change in the circumstances at a prospective client, a change in project focus at a client, a change competitive environment, a change in the market, a change in technology, a change of people, or any other change for that matter, one thing we can always count on is that the only constant is change itself.

There have been lots of articles stressing the strategic importance of developing your ability to cope with and manage change. But as Darwin put it "It is not the strongest or most intelligent of the species which survive, but those most adaptable to change."

Trying to manage a change event is a reactive approach to a surprise and therefore is usually stressful. Adapting to change in an attempt to cope is not what I am talking about when I say adaptability. This approach leaves you managed by change instead of managing it.

Successful companies are proactive and anticipate changes and adapt ahead of time. They stay agile (agile = fast, flexible, focused and forget the past.) As you focus on closing out the quarter, and think about whether you will make the year, are you being proactive? Are you anticipating? Are you being agile? Are you winning? If so, you may continue to be successful, you may be ahead of the change curve as opposed to being managed by change. Or you may have a change coming that you can't yet see ! Watch out for the revolution.

If your direction is slowing, and you are losing more deals, then you're more than likely falling victim to the age old evolution. Survival of the fittest assisted by adaptability, and the museum of natural history for the rest.